Healthy Snacks
Here are some healthy snack ideas for you that will help you achieve your health goals. It is amazing how just simply changing what you eat can make a dramatic change in your body as far as health and weight loss. I will be adding more periodically so keep checking back!
Trail Mix
Mix your own trail mix because a bag of premixed trail mix may have many preservatives and additives. You can basically add whatever you like just be careful of the sugar. There is sugar in dried fruit and chocolate so keep those to a minimum.
Mix one cup of each of these and store it in a container:
peanuts
almonds
cashews
walnuts
raisins
Then mix in about 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips. I choose dark chocolate because it has a higher amount of cocoa which has many health benefits including antioxidants. Since it has a stronger flavor it is more satisfying as well than milk chocolate. You could also choose Lily’s sugar free chocolate chips. I eat about 1/3 cup per serving.
Nut butter with Fruits or Veggies
Choose any nut butter that you like such as peanut, almond, cashew etc. Spread on apples, bananas, carrots, celery etc. Nut butters are high in fat so I try not to eat more that 2 tbsp in a serving.
Hummus and Veggies
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
In a blender or food processor, combine garbanzo beans, lemon juice, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the reserved bean liquid. Blend until smooth. You can also play with the amounts and add spices that you like or nuts. Serve with cut up veggies of your choice.
Meat and Cheese
Use deli meat that is low in sodium, free of nitrates and hormone free. Add a piece of cheese. Whole grain bread is optional. If it is for a snack think of it as a half or quarter sandwich not a whole one.
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
I have found various recipes for gluten free cookies online and changed them a bit by cutting down on the sugar and adding some peanut butter. They taste great and are very filling. Choose ingredients that are organic if you can find them.
- 1 stick of butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cups of coconut flour
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon soda
Mix the butter and sugar in a large bowl until well mixed. Add the egg and beat together. Mix in honey, peanut butter and vanilla. When thoroughly mixed add coconut flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add oats.
Spoon out small amounts and form into balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten them out a little with your hand. Cook in the oven for 12-15 minutes at 325 degrees. When they are finished they should still be a bit soft on the inside. Cool before eating. Yummy!
Keep checking back for more snack ideas!